Brake mechanism for automobiles



Dec. 1, 1925- J. H. RICHARD BRAKE MECHANISM FOR AUTOMOBILES v j c/ HQ 7 W@ jiforneyj Filed Dec, 16, 1922 2 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed Dace 16, 192.2

Patented Dec. 1, 1925.

UNITED u es IPOIBA'L'ION OF NEW YORK.

PATENT, OFFICE,

JOHN H. RICHARD, F BUFFALO,.NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR,

- -SIGNMENTS, TO RICHARDS AIBBRAKE CO.

wmm AND Jigsaws A8- mo, or surrano, unw 1031;, a con- Bmxn MECHANISM son nu'r'ouonlnns;

7 Application flledlhecember 16, 1822. Serial 1T0. 807,412.

To all whom it may com-em: 1

Be it known that I, JOHN H. Rror ARo a citizen of the United States, residlng at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented new andnseful Improvements in Brake Mechanism for Automobiles, of which the following is a specification.

. This invention relates nism which is more particularly designed for use in automobilesin connection with the usual foot and hand operated-brakes, so as to enable both brake shoes or members on the inner and outer sides of the brake drums on the Wheels 'or elsewhere to be operated by air pressure as well as manually,

and thus permit of controlling the operation of an automobile with greater certainty,

safety and ease.

It is the object of this invention to pro- -'vide a brake mechanism of this character which can be combined with'the standard organization ofbrakingmechanlsm for antomobiles as nowcommonlyflusedand permit of operating the usual foot and hand brakes by means of an air. operated motor and thus relieve the operator or driver of this work and also permittin the brake 'Hmechanism to be 0 erated eit ier by foot pressure or by han pressure in the event that the air-operated motor should for some reason become defective. H

In the accompanying 'drawin 2 Figure 1 .is a. fra entary perspective view of an automobi e equipped with my imrovedbrake. mechanism. Figure 2 isa ragmentaryi vertical longitudinal section of the sametaken on line 2- -2', Fig. 5, and

showing the brake mechanism in its relaxedl or released po s1t1on. Figure 3 lsa similar view-showing the brake mechanism 1n. the

position which it occu ies when both the foot and hand operate members are actuated by air pressure for setting the brakes.

' Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal'section. showing the manner of connecting the foot brake lever with the foot 0 erated pull rod, the airmotor controlling l ne for permitting the a'ir inotor to operate the inside brake shoesor bands of the brake drums as well as the outside brake shoes or hands of the same. Figure 5 is a fragmentary horizontal section of the brake mechanism, showin members "levers or members servin 18 with the outer bra nc and. the y the air operated motor for setting the bra es and the mechanism for supplylngthe same with air. Figure 6 1s a tion taken on line 6-6, Fig, 5.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several I 1 a a I views. to a brake mecha- Although myinvention maybe embodied in an automobile having a manually-operated brake mechanism which may be variously constructed so far as its details are concerned, the accompanying drawings show one embodiment of the same in connection with a standard type of brake mg which is constructed as follows:

10, 10 represent two arms, rock levers or outer brake bands or shoes 11 which surround the outersides of the brake drums 12 whlch are mounted on parts which rotate vwith the rear or driving wheels of the auto- 15, 15 represent the two sections of the primary or foot brake mechanism rock shaft whichare yournaled in any suitable manner fragmentary vertical longitudinal sec gearoperating to contract the usual are 14 which are- I I 0 part of what is i toot brake mecha "f WhlOhlS operated'by' on the underside of the main frame 16 of the automobile, other and extremities with depending rock arms 17 which are connected b so that they are in line with each 10, 10. The opposing inner ends of the foot brake'rock shaft sections. are provided with depending primaryoperating rock arms 19 .hnks 20, 20, with a transverse ualizing means of pull rods e shifting members l {the lower ends of which "are connected respectively by means of longitudinal bars or bar or lever 21. The centralp'arto the lati which are provided at their outer ter is connected with the rear end of pull I this pull rod 22 and the foot brake lever 23 is preferably'so constructed that it is PCS-:3

rod 22 and the front endrofthis rod is connected with the foot. brakelever or pedal 23 above the point where the same is fill-- crumed or ivo'ted on the Imain frame'of' the automo ilei', The connection between sible to move this pull rod forwardl independently of this foot brake lever an thus avoid interference with the latter when the brake mechanism is applied by means of air 1 pressure. The preferred: means for this purpose which are shown in Figs. 1 and 4 consists of a Urshaped' coupling yoke or clevis, the longitudinal bars or arms 24,

24 of which are connected at their front ends 7 with the foot brake lever or pedal by means of a tranverse pin 25 while the cross bar 26' on this yoke or clevis which connects the rear ends of these arms is provided centrally with an opening which receives the front part of the pull rod 22, the latter being provided at its front end with a head or enlar ement 27 which is adapted to engage.

wit the front side of the cross bar26, as

shown by full lines in Fig. 4. Upon moving the foot brake lever or pedal forwardly by means of foot pressure, the cross bar 26 of the coupling yoke by engaging with the head 27 at the front end of the pull rod, will serve to pull this rod 22 forwardly and to contract the external brake bands or shoes 11 of both brake drums in the usual man-- ner. If however, these brake shoes are applied by means other than the foot lever 23, the pull rod 22 is moved forwardly independently of this yoke, in which event this rod slides forwardly through'the opening in the cross bar 26 without shifting the latter on the pedal 23 with which it is connected, this position of the front part of the ull rod and its head being indicated by otted lines in Fig. 4. The backward movement of the foot brake mechanism is preferably effected by means of springs 67 connecting opposite ends of the equalizing bar with convenient parts of the main frame, as shown in Fig. 5.

Immediately in rear of the foot brake rock shaft sections is arranged a transverse emergency or secondary rock shaft 28 Y which is journaled horizon'tall in suitable "bearings on the main frame an provided at itsopposite ends with depending rock arms 29 which are connected by means of pull rods 30, 30 with the shifting members 13 bands 14 of the brake drums.

associated with the internal brake shoes or This roar rock shaft 28 forms part of the hand or emergency brake system and is provided adjacent to one end thereof with a depend ing intermediate rock arm 31 which is connected with the rear end of an emergency pull rod 32. The front end of thi lastueaoee.

arml33 of a hand operated emergency brake lever which is pivoted between its lower and upper arms 33, 34 on a suitable stationary part of the automobile, such as the main frame. lower arm of this emergency hand lever and thefront end of thepull rod 32 is so" constructed that upon moving the "upper arm of the emergency leverbackwardly, this puli rodwillbe moved forwardl ,so as to set the emergency brake mechanism. but if the corresponding'brake mechanism should be set oroperated'by means other than this so sure motor, then this rod is capable of mov- 7 hand lever, "as for instance by an air presing forwardly independently of this hand operated lever. To permit of'such indew pendent forward movement of the pull rod, various means may be provided, those shown in the drawings for this purpose being suitable and consisting of a U-shaped coupling yoke or clevis, the longitudinal arms or bars 35 of which have their front ends pivotally connected with the lower arm of the hand brake lever by means of a transverse pin 36 whilethe rear ends of the same are conneced by a cross bar 37, the central art of which is provided with an opening t rough which the front end of the pull rod 32 passes, this rod being provided at its front end with a head 38 adapted to engage the front side of this cross bar. On moving the hand lever 33,34 in the direction for setting the emergency brake, the cross bar 37 of this coupling yoke will bear against the head 38 of this pull rod and move the latter The connection between the forwardly for setting the emergency brake but if the corresponding brake is set by means other than this hand lever then the rod 32 will simply slide through this cross bar and its head will move forwardly away from the front side thereof. 7

My improved. compressed air mechanism for actuating the inner and outer brake shoes or hands of the drums by means of air pressure which is associated with the foot and hand-operated mechanism previously described, may be variously constructed,.but

in the preferred form shown in the drawings, the same is organized as follows:

39 represents an abutment having prefer ably the form of a horizontal transverse bar which is connected at its opposite ends with the lower ends of the inner-arms 19 of the two shaftsections of the foot brake mechanism. On its front side this abutment has pivoted thereto near one end thereof, a. vertically-swinging latch 40 which is yieldingly held in a depressed position by means 0 a spring 41 connecting the free end of this latch .with an adjacent stationary part of the automobile, such as the main frame, the downward movement of this latch being limited by a stop 42 on the abutment. This lift) .mounted on a convenient part of the main.

. with the free end of the latch and at its 7- front end to the cross bar 26 of the foot- 1 pedal yoke while the intermediate part of this line passes around a suitable iding device, such for instance as a gro ler 44 frame or other stationary part of the automobile:

Arranged in rear of the latch and the abutment barisan emergency or secondary operating arm 45 which is secured at its upper end to the central part of the emer ency rock shaft. The intermediate part 0 this operating arm is provided with an opening 46 which in the epressed position of the latch is horizontally and lengthwise in line with the latter. Immediately in rear of the latch and arranged within the opening-46 of the operating arm is the front head of a horizontal plunger, pusher or piston rod 47 whichpasses through a stuifing box 48 in the front head of an air motor cylinder 49,

- in which latter is arranged a piston 50 which reciprocates lengthwise therein and is connected with the inner or rear end of the piston" rod 47. When free, this piston is moved rearwardly by means of a spring 51 arranged within the front part of this cylinder around the inner end of the piston rod and hearing at its front end against the front head of the motor cylinder while its rear end bears against this piston, as bestshown in Fig. 5. Between the front head of the motor cylinder andthe emergency operating arm 45 the piston rod is provided with a shoulder 52 which is preferably formed by means of a cross in thereon, this shoulder being adapted to ear against the rear side of the operating arm 45.- The piston ismoved forwardly for applying both the foot and emergency brake mechanisms by air pressure, this air being withdrawn from i a storagereservoir or tank 53 and conducted to the rear. end of the .motor cylinder by means of a conduit or pipe 54. Communication between the storage tank and the motor I valve which may be of any suitable-com cylinder isv effected by means of a supply consist of a "valve casing 55 having its inlet and outlet connecting respectively with sections of the conduit 54 while the port there through is adapted'tobe opened and closed by a transversely movable stopper, plug or gate 56. The opening of this supply valve for permitting compressed air to pass from the storage tank to the motor cylinder is effected during the first" part or stepvof the fiorward movement of the "foot operated flever or pedal 23 for which purpose-fa connection is used between this lever and the plug or gate of the sup ly valve by means which in their preferre construction comprise a horizontally-swinging valverock lever having a short arm 57 which is connected by means of a link 58'withthe stem of the sup 1y valve .while its long arm 59 is connected y means of a pullline 60 with the cross bar 26 of the coupling yoke mounted on the foot lever 23. The intermediate part of this pull line passes around suitable guides consisting of pulleys 61 or the like mounted on adjacent stationary parts of the automobile, such as the main frame. Rearward movement of the pull line 60 and the closing of the supplyvalve is effected by means of a spring 62 connecting the long arm 59 of the supply valve opera-tin lever with an adjacent stationary part of t e auleasing the-braking mechanism. This is accomplished in the present instance by means of a vent valve which places the interior of the motor cylinder in communication with the atmosphere- In the form. of this valve shown in Fig. 5, the same comprises a casing 63 which has its chamber connected with the pipe orconduit leading from the supply valve to the motor cylinder and the same is also provided with a port 64 leading closed by a sliding plug, gate or stopper 65 movable transversely in the casing and operated by means of a link 66 connecting the stem of this stopper with the long arm 59 By connecting the plugs or gates of the supply valve and the vent valve-with opposite arms of this Valve lever, a rocking move ment of the latter in one direction will cause the supply valve to open and the vent valve to close, while amovement of this lever in the opposite direction will cause the supply valve to close and cut off communication between the air storage tank and the motor .to the atmosphere, which port is opened and of the lever which operates the supply valve.

cylinder and instead connect the motor cylinder with the atmosphere.

For the purpose of holding the operating I arm 45 ofthe emjergency rock shaft and the operating arms 19 of the sections of foot brake shaft in their forwardly-turned or operative position, so that the brakes remain set after being applied, a detent device is provided which in its preferred construction consists of 'a catch 68 which projects m lengthwise through an opening 69in the lower part of the emergency brake operat mg arm while its front end is pivoted on an adjacent stationary part of the auto mobile, so as to permit this catch to swing vertically; A. weight 70 is mounted on the rear part of this catch for the purpose of holdinga rearwardly-facing shoulder 71 onthe underside of this catch in engagement with the lower edge of the opening 69 of the emergency operating arm after the latter has been swung forwardly. Release of this catch from this operating arm is preferably 1 effected from a point within convenient slack in the releasing line to enable the catch to drop promptly and properly engage the emergency operating arm.

Any suitable means may be provided for supplying compressed air to thetank 53 and storing the same in the latter preparatory to utilizing it foroperating the auxiliaryair actuated brake mechanism. The mechanism shown in the drawings for supplyin compressed air to this tank has been foun satisfactory in practice, and as there shown the same is constructed as follows:

7 6 represents an air compressor of any" suitable construction which receives air from the external atmosphere and delivers:

the same by means ofa pipe 77 into the storage tank. 78 is a driven s rocket wheel which is mounted in the cran shaft '79 of this air compressor and" adaptedtmbe connected with and disconnected therefrom by means of a clutch one jaw 80of which is arranged on the hub of the driven sprocketf wheel 78 while the other jaw 81 is'splined on the shaft of the air compresser, so as to be capable of sliding lengthwise thereon but compelled to turn therewith. The driven sprocket wheel 78 is turned constantly when the automobile engine is in operation by means of a chain belt 83 passing around the driven sprocket wheel 78 and also,around a driving sprocket wheel 84 mounted on the longitudinal shaft 85 forming part ofthe driving mechanism of, theautomobile. The

longitudinally movable clutch jaw 81 isconnected with an operating lever 86 so that it can be moved into and out of engagement with the clutch jaw 80 on the driven sprocket wheel by swinging this clutch lever. For

7 this purpose one end of the latter is pi'voted on an available stationary part of the automlobile frame while the free end of this clutch lever is connected by means of a shifting rod 87 with a piston 88 arranged in a shifting cylinder 89. One end of the latter is connected by means of a passage 90 with the interior of the air storage tank while the other end of the cylinder contains a spring 91 which operates topush the piston 88 backwardly or toward the passage 90. When the pressure of air in the storage tank is below normal, the spring 91 operates to push the shifting piston 88 toward the passage 90 which connects the same with the storage tank, thereby causing the clutch lever to-be shifted from the position shown by dotted lines to the position shown by full lines in Fig. 6, whereby the driven sprocket wheel 78 is'coupled with the crank shaft of the air compressor and the latter is caused.

to force air nto the storage tank. -When the pressure of'air in the latter rises above normal, the plston 88 is forced away from the connecting passage 90, thereby causing the I clutch lever 86 to be moved fromits full line position to its dotted line position in Fig. 6, thereby uncouplin the jaws 80, 81'of the clutch and disconnecting the driven sprocket wheel from the shaft of the air compresser, whereby the operation of the air compresser is arrested and the further supply of compressed air to the storage tank ceases. v

The operationof this improved brake mechanism, briefly described,'isas follows:

In the relaxed position of the parts, the

foot lever 23 is swung or moved into its rear".

ward position, the upper arm 34 of the emer gency hand lever is moved into its forward pos1t1on,;the operating arms 45, 19 19 of the' emergency brake-rock shaft and the normal rock shaft sections. are moved'into their rear- 3 -most position, the latch 40 is in its lowered position, the catch 68 has its shoulder 71 unlocked from the loweredge portion of the emergency operating arm L5, andthe from end of the piston rod 47 is arranged in" its position, as best shown in Figs. 1,

rearmost 2 and 5;

Upon now moving the .foot brake lever? forwardly, the first part or step of this movement will cause a rearward pull on the air valve line 60 which will operate to close the vent valve 63 and open the air supply valve the motor cylinder 49 and 1push the istonrod i" I 47 forwardly against the t h an shift the latter forwardly, whereby the rock shaft sec tions 15 of the normal or foot brake mecha- -55, so that some of thecompressed air from the storage tank will pass into the rear end of nismwill be turned inthe direction for ap plyin the driving wheelsof the car and effect an ordinar normal or moderate application of the bra e mechanism. If a more powerful braking action is required, the forward movement of the foot lever 23 is continued another step after the ordinary braking effect has been obtained. During this sec-' the external brake shoes which surroun the periphery of the brake drums on 0nd part or step-of the forward movement of this foot leverya forward pull is effected on the latch releasing line 43 which operates to raise the latch out of the path of the piston rod 47, so that now the piston rod can pass forwardly underneath the latch and the abutment bar 39 and engage its shoulder or pin 52 with the rear side of the emergency ope-rating arm 45, whereby the latter is swung forwardly into engagement with the rear side of the latch and a continued forward move ment of the piston rod thereafter causes both the ordinary operating arms l9, l9, and the emergency operating arm lf 'to be pushcd forwardly in unison, and thereby cause a simultaneous application of the normal or foot brake mechanism and the emergency or hand lever brake mechanism. -Vhen the piston rod 47 and the operating arms 45, 19, 19 have reached their foremost position and the brakes have been applied with a maximum degree of effectiveness, the lower end of the emergency rock arm has passed in front of the locking shoulder 71 of the catch and has been engaged thereby, as shown in Fig. 3, whereby the brake mechanism remains set and the wheels are held against turning until the catch 68 has been released notwithstanding that the air pressure in the motor has been cut off and both the foot brake lever 23 and the hand brake lever 33, 3% have been released. A release of the braking mechanism is effected by a rearward pull on the button or handle 73 which lifts the catch 68, so as to disengage its shoulder 71 from the lower part of the emergency operating arm 45, thereby permitting the latter to be moved backwardly by the relaxation of the brake mechanism of which the same forms a part and at the same time the rock shaft sections 15, 15 and the parts associated therewith are moved backward into their relaxed position by means of the springs 67 connecting with opposite ends of the equalizing bar. Such backward movement of the operating arms 45 and 19, 19 is permitted on account of the air pressure having been previously out off from the rear end of the operating or motor cylinder 49 and communication having been established between the latter and the atmosphere, and the piston rod 47 having been moved backwardly by means of the spring 51. If, for any reason, the air operated part of this brake mechanism should I become inoperative, the .last part of the forward movement of the foot lever 23 will effect an ordinary or normal application of the brake shoes on the outside of the brake drum in the usual manner,'and a backward movement of the upper arm of the hand or emergency brake lever will also etl'ect an engagement of the inner brake shoes with the inner side of the brake drums in the customary manner without interference with the air operated mechanism. It is thusposslble to operate the brake mechanism either by foot power, by hand power, or by air pressure, or by a combination of these various powers in accordance with varying conditions. Whenever an application of the brakes is effected by the air operated mechanism, the pull rods 22, 32, which are ordinarily OI'HPlOyGtl when operating the foot lever and the emergency lever, will slide idly through the rear cross bars of the yokes which couple these rods with their respective levers, thereby avoiding any interference between the air operated mechanism and the manually operated parts of the brake mechanism. 1

When an ordinary or an emergency application oflthc brakes is made by means of the foot lever 23 or the hand lever 33, 34, independently of the air operated means, a forward movement of the operating arm 45 will cause the brakes to be locked in said position until this o-peratingarm is released by )ulling backwardly on the button 73 and lifting the catch out of engagement from the emergency operating arm in the same manner in which this is accomplished for releasing the brakes after an air application of the same has been made.

It will now be clear that during the first pa"t of the forward movement of the manually operated normal or service lever 23, or equivalent means, the brake shoes 11 will be actuated by air pressure and applied moderately and-with sufficient effectiveness to control the movement of the automobile under ordinary conditions. During the next part of the forward movement of the manually operated normal lever the brake mechanism will be actuated by air pressure with greater power inasmuch as the normal and emergency brake shoes are now both applied and exert their combined effect to control the movement of the car as becomes necessary when a hazardous or highly dangerous situation arises. In the event that'the air operated portion of the brake mechanism should for any reason fail to function or operate to set the brakes a continued forward movement of the lever 23 for effecting the last part thereof after completion of the first normal part and second emergency part of this movement, as heretofore described, will result in a safety or reserve application of the brake mechanism by the utilization of manual power only which is equally as good and as effective as the normal or service brake action of the mechanism now in common use. Obviously this brakemechanism therefore has all the capabilities of the standard brake mechanism now in general use with the added advantage of being able to operate the brakes by air pressure for making nor mal and emergency applications of the brake mechanism so long as the air operated portion of the same is in working condition. in addition to this an emergency application of the brakes may be effected manually at any time by operating the usual emergency lever 33, 34. independently of the air operated mechanism in case the latter should become inoperative. V

This auxiliary air operated mechanism for actuating the brakes independently of the foot lever 23 and the hand lever 33, 34 not only increases the safety with. which automobiles may be operated, but also enables this work to be done more conveniently and with less fatigue and permits of a much more owerful application of the brakes than woul be possible by the use of manual power only. Furthermore, the catch mechanism which holds the brakes in their-applied position is automatic in its operation and serves to hold the car against motion until released by a pull upon the button 7 3, thereby causing the brakes to be held tight upon pushing the foot lever forwardly independently of any operation of the hand lever 34 for applying he emergency brakes- This alr operated attachment for the brake mechanism of automobiles is particularly advantageous in that it can be installed in automobiles of the type now in general use in which the brake mechanisms are of substantially uniform or standard design.

I claim as my invention:

1. A brake mechanism for automobiles comprising a shifting member for controlling a brake member adapted to engage a part operatively connected with a wheel of the automobile, a manually operated lever having a slip'connection with said shifting member, which slip connection compels said shifting member to move in the operative direction with said lever when the latter is opstated but permits said shifting member to move in the operative direction independently ofsaid lever, an air operated motor adapted to actuate said shifting member independently of said lever and controlling means whereby said lever during the first part of its forward movement will cause said air motor to apply the brake member by power and during a subsequent part of the forward movement of said lever the latter 'causes a manual application of said brake member.

2. A brake mechanism for automobiles comprising a shifting member for controlling a brake member adapted to engage a part turning with a wheel of the automobile, 'a manually operated lever, a clevis pivotally connected with said lever and having its cross bar provided with an opening, a shift ing rod pasing through said opening and provided in front of said bar with a head and having its rear end operatively connected with said shifting member, and an air operated motor adapted to actuate said prake shifting member independently of said ever.

3. A brake mechanism for automobiles comprising ashifting member for controlling a brake member adapted to engage a part turning with a wheel of the automobile, a manually operated lever having a slipconnection with said shifting member which compels said shifting member to move forwardly with said lever when the latter is operated but permits said shifting member to move forward independently of said lever, an air operated motor adapted to actuate said brake shifting member independently of said lever, and means for controlling the operation of said motor by shifting said lever, said controlling means being so 001 structed that when said lever effects the first part of its forward movement it will cause said air motorto apply the brake member by power and during a subsequent part of the forward movement of said lever the lat ter causes a manual application of said brake member.

4. A brake mechanism for automobiles comprising a shifting member which is connected with a brake member adapted to engage a part operatively connected with a wheel of the automobile, an abutment arranged on said shifting member, a manually operated lever connected with said shifting member, an air operated motor having a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder and a piston rod connected with the piston and adapted to press said abutment, and means for controlling the operation of said motor by motion derived from said lever, said controlling means being so constructed that when said lever effects the first part of its forward movement it will cause said air motor to apply the brake member by power and during a subsequent part of the forward movement of said lever the latter causes a manual ap-- plication of said brake member.

5. A brake mechanism for automobiles comprising a rock shaft which is connected with a brake member adapted to engage a 'part turning with a wheel of the automobile, a rock arm arranged on said shaft and having an abutment, a manually operated lever connected with said rock shaft, an air operated motor having a cylinder, a piston in the cylinder and a piston rod connected with the piston and adapted to press said abutment, a compressed air storage tank, a conduit connecting said tank with said motor cylinder and having a supply valve and a vent valve, air controlling means for connecting said cylinder with said tank or with the "atmosphere, and means operatively connecting said lower and air controlling means for connecting said cylinder with the tank during the operative movement of said lever and connecting said cylinder with the atmosphere during the return movement of said lever.

6. A brake mechanism for automobiles comprising a movable actuating member actuating member for applying the brakenpon moving said lever in its operative direction, and a detent device for holding said brake member in its applied position.

7. A brake mechanism for automobiles comprising a rock shaft which .is connected with a brake member adapted to engage a part operatively connected with a wheel of the automobile, a rock arm arranged on said shaft and having an abutment, a manually operated lever connected with said rock shaft, an air operated motor having a cylinder, :1 piston in the cylinder and a piston rod connected with the piston and adapted to press said abutment, means for causing said motor to operate said shaft for applying the brake upon moving said lever forwardly, a detent device for holding said brake in an applied position, and manually operated means forreleasing said detent device. 8. A brake mechanism for automobiles comprising a shifting member adapted to move a brake member into engagement with a part operatively connected with a wheel of the automobile, manually operated means for actuating said shifting member, motor operated means foractuating said shifting member, and a detent device forhoiding the brake mechanism in an applied position.

9. An air brake mechanism comprising.

normal means for effecting a normal braking action, emergency means for effecting an emergency braking action, manually operated means which serve to apply said normal braking means, and automatic means asso-, ciated with said manually operated means and serving to apply said emergency braking means after the normal braking means have been set in operation.

10. A brake mechanism for automobiles comprising foot operated means for arresting the movement of a part operatively'connected with a' wheel of the automobile, hand operated means for arresting the movement of a part operatively connected with a wheel of the automobile, and power operated means for actuating said foot operated means by itself, or simultaneously actuating said foot operated means and said hand operated means.

11. A brake mechanism for automobiles comprising foot operated means for arresting the movement of a part operatively connected with a wheel of the automobile which means include a primary rock arm, hand operated means for arresting the movement of a part operatively connected with a wheel of the automobile which means include a secondary rock arm arranged adjacent to sand first lllQIltlOl'lECl rock arm, and an air op- .meansinclude a primary rock arm, hand operated means for arresting the movement of a part operatively with a wheel of the automobile which means include a secondary rock arm arranged adjacent to said primary rock arm, an air operated motor adapted to and apply the foot;

turn both of said arms and hand operated means of the brake mechanism, and a detent device for holding said arms in the positions in which the brake mechanism is applied.

13'. A brake mechanism for automobiles comprising foot operated means for arrest ing the'movement of a part operatively connected with a wheel of means include a rock shaft having a primary rock arm, hand operated means for arresting the movement of a part operatively with a wheel of the automobilewhich means include a rock shaft having'a secondary rock arm arranged adjacentto said primary rock arm, an air operated motor adapted to turn both of said arms and ap ly the foot and hand operated means of t e brake-g echanism, a detent device for holding sai arms in the position in which the brake mechanism is applied, and means for releasing said detent device.

14. A brake Inechanism'for automobiles comprising a normal rock arm operatively connected with the normal brake shoes of the brake mechanism, an emergency rock arm operatively connected with the emergency shoes of the brake mechanism, an abutment mounted on said normal rock arm, a latch movably mounted on said abutment, a piston rod adapted to engage eitherwith said latch or to pass the same and said abutthe automobile which -erated motor adapted to turn both of said i ment and provided with a shoulder adapted rod adapted to engage either with said latch or to pass the same and said abutment and movably mounted on said abutment, a piston rod adapted to engage either with said latch or to pass the same and said abutment and provided with a shoulder adapted to engage with said emergency rock arm, an air motor cylinder, a piston arranged in said cylinde and connected with said piston rod, a man ually operated lever connected with said latch and adapted when moved forward to movewsaid latch out of the path of said piston rod, and a spring for moving said latch into the path of said piston rod.

17. A brake mechanism for automobiles comprising a normal rock arm operatively connected with the normal brake shoes of the brake mechanism, an emergency rock arm operatively connected with the emergency shoes of the brake mechanism, an abutment mounted on said normal rock arm, a latch movably mounted on said abutment, a piston rod adapted to engage either with said latch or to, ass the same and said abutment and provi d with a shoulder adapted to engage with saidemergency rock arm, an air motor cylinder, a piston arranged in said cylinder and connected with said piston rod, and a catch for holding said normal and emergency rock arms in their operative positions.

18. A brake mechanism for automobiles comprising a normal rock arm operatively connected with the normal brake shoes of the brake mechanism, an emergency rock arm operatively connected with the emergency shoes of the brake mechanism, an abutment mounted on the normal rock arm, a latch movably mounted on said abutment, a-piston rod adapted to engage either with said latch or to pass the same and said abutment and provided with a shoulder adapted to engage with said emergency rock arm, an air motor cylinder, a piston arranged in said cylinder and connected with said piston rod, a catch for holding said normal and emergency rock arms in their operative positions, and means foiyreleasing said catch extending from a place adjacent to the dash board.

19. A. brake mechanism for automobiles comprising a normal rock shaft operatively connected with the normal brake shoes of the brake mechanism, an emergency rock shaft arranged in rear of the normal rock shaft and operatively connected with the emergency shoes of the brake mechanism, a normal operating rock arm depending from said normal rock shaft and provided with an abutment, a vertically movable latch mounted on said abutment, an emergency operating rock arm depending from the emergency rock shaft, a piston rod adapted to have its front end engage either 'ith the rear side of said latch or to pass underneath the same and said abutment and provided with a shoulder adapted to engage with said emergency rock arm, an air motor cylinder, a piston arranged in said cylinder and connected with said piston rod, a catch for holding said normal and emergency rock arms iirtlieir forward position, and means for releasing said catch comprising a pull button arranged adjacent to the dash board and a pull line connecting said button with sa d catch.

20. A brake mechanism for automobiles comprising a normal rock shaft having two sections, outer rock arms depending from the outer ends of said snaft sections and operatively connected with the two normal brake shoes of the brake mechanism, inner operating arms arranged at the inner ends of said shaft sections, an equalizing bar connected at its opposite ends with said inner rock arms, a foot lever connected with said equalizing bar, an abutment bar connected with said inner rock arms, a vertically swinging latch pivoted on said abutment bar and connected with said foot lever, an emergency rock shaft arranged in rear of said normal rock shaft sections and having its outer ends operatively connected with the emergency brake shoes of the brake mechanism, an emergency hand lever operatively connected with said emergency rock shaft, an emergency rock arm arranged on said emergency rock shaft, a piston rod adapted to engage said latch or pass the same and provided with a shoulder adapted to engage said emergency operating arm, an air motor cylinder, a piston in said cylinder connected with said piston rod, a compressed air storage tank, and a valve mechanism operatively connected with said foot lever and adapted in one position to connect said tank with said cylinder and in another position to disconnect said tank from said cylinder and connect the latter with the atmosphere.

21. An air brake mechanism comprising normal means for effecting a normal braking action, emergency means for effecting an emergency braking action, manually oper ated means which serve to apply said normal braking means, automatic means associated with said manually operated means and serving to apply said emergency braking means after the normal braking means have been set in operation, and means for supplyin air pressure for effecting application 0 said normal and emergency braking means.

22. An air brake mechanism comprising normal means for eflecting a normal braking action, emergency means for efl'ecting an emergency braking action, manually operated means which serve to apply said normal braking means, automatic means associated with said manuall operated means and serving to ap' ly sai ing means after t e normal bra ing means have been set in operation, and means for 23. A brake mechanism comprising brakeelements, air power shifting means, and man- .ually actuated controlling means associated with said parts and operating when traversing the first part'of its forward movement to cause said air power means'to apply said emerg{ency brak-' brake elements with a moderate or normal effect, and while traversing the second part of its forward movement to cause said air power means to appl said brakeelements with a more powerfu or emergency-effect, and while traversing the last part of its forward movement to cause a manual application of said brake elements independently of said air power means.

24. Afbrake mechanism comprising normal brake elements, emergency brake elements, air power shifting means, manual shifting means, and manual controlling .means, said parts being constructed and arranged that during the first part of the forward movement of said controlling means said air power means will operate only on said normal brake elements for applying the braking effect of the same, during the second part of said forward movement of the controlling means said emergency brake elements will be coupled with said normal brake elements and produce an increased or emergency braking eflect, and during the last part of the forward movement of said controlling means the same will operate by manual power on one of said brake elements and permit of producing a braking effect independently of said air ower means.

JOH H. RICHARD. 

